CAI SHEN, a winner at Doncaster last September, returns to action at Lingfield tomorrow with a Derby triumph in his sights.

Trained by Richard Hannon and the mount of Jamie Spencer, Cai Shen makes his reappearance in the £100,000 Blue Square Winter Derby and is fancied to make a bold bid, provided he handles the switch to a Polytrack surface.

Cai Shen has been solidly backed for this race all week. His overall form is very creditable and he comes from a powerful yard, well able to prepare a horse after a lengthy break. He is taken to come out on top in a race in which Richard Fahey saddles a brace of runners, Our Joe Mac and Myplacelater.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston, who has enjoyed an excellent winter campaign along with his chief jockey Joe Fanning, has good prospects of completing a Lingfield double.

Bannock represents the North Yorkshire duo in the bluesquare.com Spring Cup and should go well on the balance of his solid juvenile form.

He won three races last season, the best of them being the Rockingham Stakes at York in the autumn. Tough and talented, he is expected to turn in a good show.

Kingscroft can be another winner for Johnston and Fanning in the Get Your Bet On At Blue Square Handicap.

A prolific winner last season, Kingscroft made an encouraging start to the new campaign when finishing second at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. He is a previous winner on this course.

The nap vote goes to Oasis Dancer in the Blue Square Hever Sprint Stakes, a Listed affair.

Ralph Beckett’s gelding has been impressive in two starts this season and looks a useful horse in the making.

At Sedgefield today, Forward Flight is worth of close attention in the Jardine’s Catering National Hunt Flat Flat Race.

Trained by Sue Smith, Forward Flight made a bright start to his career when finishing second at Bangor on his debut.

He has since been bought by JP McManus, which gives some indication of the potential he is believed to have. He should not be underestimated.

Smith can also win the digibet.com Handicap Hurdle with Alba King, who will also be ridden by smart claimer Jonathan England.

The six-year-old came good at Sedgefield ten days ago, despite being 7lb out of the handicap.

He is now set to carry a 7lb penalty, which effectively means he is racing off the same mark. He should take plenty of beating.

Middleham trainer Andy Crook is enjoying a good run at present and Along Came Rosie may be another winner for the popular handler in the Betfair Racing Excellence Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle.

The eight-year-old finished a creditable third at Hexham last time and had previously won on this course.

The return to Sedgefield may work the oracle once again.

Racing selections

Sedgefield (today)

2.20 Sublime Talent, 2.50 Along Came Rosie, 3.25 Grey Life, 4.00 Willie Hall, 4.35 Noble Witness, 5.10 Alba King, 5.45 Forward Flight.

Today’s other meetings

Lingfield, Newbury and Wolverhampton.

Lingfield (tomorrow)

1.50 Dark Stranger, 2.25 Bannock, 2.55 Oasis Dancer (NAP), 3.25 Cai Shen, 4.00 Kingscroft, 4.35 Valley Of Destiny, 5.10 Right Stuff.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Bangor, Kelso, Newbury and Stratford.